NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams

Exclusive look at virtual pets, multiplayer, and much more.

Sega's classic NiGHTS into Dreams... is a game of many reputations -- the Saturn platformer that went head-to-head with Mario 64, the game that wasn't really a platformer but got credit for it anyway, and for the hardcore, the time attack juggernaut with hidden depths.

It was a focused game that did very few things, but did them extremely well. It was about flying stylishly as NiGHTS (mostly in 2D), performing loops to attack, and moving through crazy levels -- everything else was secondary.

For the Wii sequel, NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, Sega's developers have quite a bit more planned, with everything from virtual pets to character transformations to river rafting to multiplayer to the ability to read Wii's weather channel. Sega recently provided us an exclusive look at these features and how the game fills itself out when you're not flying through levels.

SCREENS: While NiGHTS on Saturn was far from a "Mature" game, Journey of Dreams plays to an even younger demographic with its cut-scenes and art style -- especially when the game focuses on the human characters rather than flight-machine NiGHTS. Click the image above to check out all NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams screens.

The Secret Garden
Perhaps the most ambitious new feature for Journey of Dreams is "My Dream," which is a "garden" for each player to store, raise and breed A-LIFE creatures (which you may remember as the gnome-looking creatures from the Saturn game). If you remember the Chao Garden feature from Sonic Adventure, you'll find a lot of similarities here.

When you start a game, your garden will be nothing more than a hunk of grass. As you collect A-LIFE in the game's action levels, creatures will move into your garden and make themselves at home, bringing along furniture such as fountains, hot-air balloons and slides -- and raising/lowering the ground around them depending on their statistics.

The area will also change based on what creature types you capture -- collect all Nightopians, and your dream space will be a happy one; collect all Nightmarens, not so much -- as well as the date on your Wii system clock (look for Christmas trees and Santa Claus costumes in December), and even your real life local weather if you have the Wii Weather Channel configured.

In some ways, "My Dream" probably sounds like a glorified museum, but fortunately there's more to it than that. For one thing, those of you with a Wii connected online will be able to visit other players' gardens and invite them to yours -- at which point you can give gifts and communicate with an "Icon Chat" system that uses images rather than words to allow international players to play together (and which will likely confuse a lot of people in the process).

SCREENS: If it's a nice day in real life, your garden will appear bright and cheery, and if it's depressing outside, it may just snow in the game. Nothing like a video game to kick you when you're down. Click the image above to check out all NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams screens.

The key aspect to all this that looks to add longevity is that you'll be able to breed A-LIFE creatures in your garden. For those who grew up on the original NiGHTS, this should sound somewhat familiar, but a few twists like the ability to take things at your own pace in the "My Dream" area rather than just watching these things occur in the background of game levels open things up a bit.

If you go about your business and ignore the creatures, the Nightopians will from time to time get together and create offspring, and the children will take after the parents based on their statistics in categories such as Strength, Intelligence, Flight Ability, Sensory Perception, Sociability, Curiosity, Quickness, and Dexterity.

But for those who like to play around, you can mess with the A-LIFE genetics and push a Nightopian into a Nightmaren, creating an offspring that the game calls a Mepian. Between the statistics for each creature and the differences that will inevitably come as Mepians grow up and create offspring of their own, there will be a lot of potential for ways to customize your little world.

NiGHTS versus Reala
If you're looking for something a bit more competitive and action-oriented, Journey of Dreams will also include two multiplayer modes, one of which will allow players to compete online.

Comments (58)

graphics are part of the equation, but gameplay is what matters

graphics matter yes that's true,but gameplay is what makes a great game not graphics.is about great controls,game balancing,how enjoyable the game is,I've played games with great graphics and they control and play like crap.is the gameplay what matters,graphics are only part of the equation.

Really, guys...

This game isn't exactly about graphics. It's about the game play and revisiting a classic formula that no other game has ever been able to emulate. In all honesty, the hard core fans of the original are not gonna care about the graphics.

i think i'll rent this

I have never played the first game, and honestly don't really know what this game is about. After reading the preview, it sounds like a pretty straightforward platformer with a few new features. The graphics do look a little childish and "subpar" compared to other games like Corruption, but I think they really emphasize that dreamy feel the game seems to be aiming for, and for that, I say the graphics are brilliant. This game looks like it has a LOT of potential, and I look forward to renting this game and trying it out when it's released.

JeffroEX

You're a funny guy, really. Not just funny that you would throw ridiculous insults at me when you probably don't even know what Maya or 3DS Max are, but hilarious that you would actually defend graphics like this. In fact, defend isn't even the word, more like furiously attack anyone who speaks negative against Nights in a mad, ferocious rage.
These graphics are terrible. Say what you want against me or any other modeler for that matter, but there is no way you can possibly defend these graphics. They are appalling, and inexcusable for any console that considers itself "next-gen." There are PSP games that look prettier than Nights: JoD. Seriously. And I don't say that because they are kid oriented or anything, because Mario Galaxies looks great. I say that because they are shit oriented.
Honestly, I'm flattered that you would find my post so incredible that you would attack me so vehemently, but I am stunned that you could possibly try and defend these graphics. If you could work around you're blatant fanboyism for one second you would see that these graphics are abysmal and in no way display any semblance of professional art talent. That is, unless Sega's team was going for the dog shit look, in which case they did a bang up job.
And as far as my portfolio goes, my current project is modeling my middle finger for a game called "Suck my dick jeffro." As soon as I finish it, I'll send it to u so u can look long and hard at it.

Man...

Smashlegend

For someone who is designing a side scrolling shooter on a prepackaged program because they can't program themselves, your opinion doesn't really count for shit.
Since have "heavy experience modeling and creating art content for games" let's see a portfolio and list of games with your names in the credits, since you are such an expert on the subject. Really, if you are that influential, talented and well known that shouldn't be so tough, right? Coming from someone who uses sprites to do a 2D side scroller, I would say you have very little room to talk about art in game design.
Just FYI, middle schoolers also Gamemaker. So if the art in Nights reminds you of middle school work, so will your final product.
For the sake of the video game industry, I hope your work never sees the light of day, except maybe as a shitty free ware download. Then we can use it as an example as to what to avoid when making games.
Did you get fired from Nintendo or Sega recently? Because damn, sounds like you really took it up the ass with as bitter as you sound.

Fugly

As someone who is currently studying game design and game development, and someone who has heavy experience modeling and creating art content for games, I personally shat my pants when I saw the screenshots for this game. These are easily the ugliest console graphics I've seen in years. These look like N64 graphics, and bad ones at that. If these screenshots reflect the graphics of the final product, then Nights: JoD will be the ugliest game of the last decade. The models are terrible, the textures are terrible, and worst of all, there seems to be no knowledge of basic art principles. Every screen shot looks like a team of middle schoolers made it, as they are extremely amateurish. For the sake of the video game industry, I hope these graphics get MUCH better.

ghettogamer1216

ghettogamer1216, you've proven to everybody that you are an idiot, and apparently can't read very well. Yes, NiGTHS is made to expand the franchise, yes it has a more child centric look. But what you've neglected to mention is that NiGHTS is a franchise that 10 year olds don't remember. So who's the game really for? My guess is NiGHTS fans that are at least 17 years old now. Fans that are old enough to maybe remember the franchise. Your shallow stereotype of the game just shows that your the type of gamer who's a cancer to the creative processes of the gaming industry/ You want things with blood and gore and to be super realistic. You sir, are what we call a "fuckstick".

ghettogamer1216

This game might be childish but it doesn't make the entire system focused on "10 year olds". I'm not a god damn 10 year old, this game looks good. But just in case you haven't noticed not EVERY good game is rated M. I love gratuitous sex and violence as much as any other guy but the reasoning behind it is "fun" something this game looks. I agree the Wii needs more M titles but that's not saying much seeing as it needs more titles period.

Yet another game

That proves my point. And we all know what I'm going to say. The Nintendo is made for 10 year olds. And who does a magical fruit loop like Night appeal to? Hmmm....10 years!!! Nintendo needs to step outside the caged box they've put them selves in and bring on the pain
-Khori-

Nights can be BETTER......

Hello Fellow Gamers.... SEGA should've made this game on all platforms (X360, PS3, DS, PSP). Can you imagine the level of graphics if this game was made in hi-def for the X360 & PS3 with all the textures, bump mapping, lighting? Come on SEGA, make this game Multi-platform & make yourself some more money. Otherwise if this game doesn't do well.. then it's on you.

Yes.

The original NiGHTS was quite remarkable. You have to remember that it came out during a period in which sega was a legitimate threat to nintendo in terms of who made the best platformers. Sonic the hedgehog was a superstar once...Back then you could ask the question, "mario or sonic?" and actually get a mixed response. It was a magic time for all of us. -_-'

Never played the original game

Meh'

It looks like a rental to me. Too bad too, the Wii could use some killer titles. It's got Smash Bros. and Mario and Metroid, but that's about it. As a Wii owner I'm a bit dissapointed, but who knows, this game could be cool.

Yay for me.

This makes me very glad I passed on the GBA remake. In all honesty, FFIV was okay but it needed a little something special. The new team-attacks sound like a step in the right direction. More so than a few optional bosses anyway.

Love the first one, but....

With the release date ever approaching, these are some concerns, and appreciation of NiGHTs: JoD
Graphics
I don't care what everyone else says, this game is flat out gorgeous, and those screen shots prove it. I would hate to see this game on par with Bioshock and Mass Effect's graphics, the Bright colors and Anime style gives it the feeling like your in a fantasy world(it is a dream after all).
Sound
This is the aspect i really care when it comes to this game(other than controls). When/if i fly through trees i want to hear the leafs as our Jester brushes against them, and when high in the sky i want to hear the wind howling and blowing against him, preferably through the wiimote speaker.
Controls
This is the MOST important part of any game, which in the Wii's case is far from perfect.
I have a great fear for the Wiimote and the response time, and will the sensor start making our hero doing an acrobatic theatrics without us even moving the Wiimote. SEGA please master the art of the Wiimote.
Presentation
To me a great presentation is it own reward. I want this game to present the art and beauty of dreams, i don't want to fly around see a cut scene and start the next level.
I want to feel like this could be me inside this dream, that it is me confronting these nightmares.
Bring us something that will make us want to keep playing.

wow

i dont know about you guys but the graphics look alot better than when i last seen this game and about the tv's...sense this world is in a dream world then why are the tv's so weird it sounds like something i'd dream about haha have you ppl never had stupid dreams that make no sense b4 haha

okay

these are not the best graphics ur gonna get on the wii and i think mario galaxys shows that the wii can really produce amazing graphics for a system that put graphics in the back seat for a better control system, this game looks good still and im sure the gampley will be great, also with the release of metroid prime 3 I think its provin the wii has superior controls when used the right ways and an look pretty damn good at the same time haha

Golden Age

Seriously, this is like seeing the golden age of Next Gen come to life.
This game ruled on Saturn, and I can only imagine how it will translate to Wii - all of those "moving around through an environment" games from the 90's are going to be so awesome on the Wii. I know there's an ocean game coming out, but I'd love to see an Echo the Dolphin come out for wii. I'm a douche like that.
The one thing I'd like to see on 1up.com's Wii content is more video's of people playing the Wii games, not just screenshots. Screenshots are BARELY half the game on Wii, and I like to get an idea of how the controls work before I buy the games. Some of the controls are just plain lame. In the case of Nights, I just want to see how cool it looks to fly around with the wii-mote

Work on the graphics? LOL!

this is the Wii, these graphics are the best you're gonna get from the system. its all about gameplay with the Wiimote. personally, i would've much preferred Sega to put this on the PS3 or the 360...can you imagine Nights with Tools of Destruction graphics? and the analogs would've worked just fine with me.

Looks Sweet

Man this game look soooo sweet. I can't wait for this game to come out for the Wii. Even though that Sega has some bad games over the years like poor Sonic but I think this game is going to rock big time.

The Graphics improved a little

who cares?

Sega is a garbage company. They made a NiGHTS sequel just because they knew rabid fanboys have been dying for a sequel to such a mediocre game.
This game was hyped up to be the one to beat Super Mario 64? Lulz. NiGHTS 1 was mediocre to the last degree.
This game won't change anything about Sega; the worst VG developers of our current age.

wowo

Radness

Who wants to bet Helen and Will are Claris and Elliot's children? No one? Damn.
Anyway I am really looking forward to this.
Lemme guess no one on the 1up staff played the original NiGHTS. I might be mistaken but this review reads like Matt didn't either.

It really is about time.

It's been 11 years since the original came out and it's great to see a sequel now only a few months away. It's been such a long wait it's kind of hard to believe. But the game looks like it'll give the fans what they wanted. And I wonder if they'll have any returning bosses from before. The fat clown reminds me of Puffy from the original.

Looks Awful

Looks Great

Not everything has to be over-the-top graphics to be fun. I played the original and the graphics were so-so then. I'll play this one and not give two cares for the graphics as long as I enjoy playing it.

Who cares about the graphics?

We're not talking about the PS3, here. It's a Wii game, and if the flying controls are immersive and the game is fun, the graphics won't really matter. Anyway, hopefully this has a better progress structure than Sonic and the Secret Rings. That game was too "on-rails" for me. I hope that NiGHTS will allow more freedom, but it seems like it would have to.

weather

This might be lame but I think it's cool that the game is using WiiConnect24 as a way to change the in-game weather based on the actual weather outside. Yeah, it's small and probably insignificant, but still sort of breaking down the fourth wall, as it were. I really can't wait to play this game. :)

Really?

I don't expect too much.

I like Sega and I enjoyed Wildfire despite it's issues. That said I don't have extremely high standards for this game. I just want them to get the basic fundamentals of flying down.
Unfortunately I worry as this looks to be a rushed project with graphics not even on par with Wildfire.
They wouldn't be so bad if they could clean it up a little and give it a crisper look to go with the simplicity and large array of colors.

Not looking too good is it?

It's always hard to judge a game from just still pictures, but still, the game looks like a Dreamcast game....which is to say not very good by todays standards.
If it even looked like a top level Gamecube game I wouldn't bitch about the graphics, but as of right now the game looks really old.

GRRRR @ SEGA

i wait like 11 years for this game to get a sequel and its on that silly Wii system. man what a bummer. if they put it on the high horsepower systems like 360 and PS3 that game would even better. instead of that overclocked gamecube. i know its all cool to prolly swing your controller like a 5 year old. but the game was originally meant for an analog controller just like when they debuted the extra controller pack-in with the game back in '96. Sadly if its only gonna be on Wii, i'll never play it. even tho i been waiting like over a decade for Sega to get off their lazy duffs to make sequels instead of dishing out lame sequels of Sonic games with poor control and long loading times.

Ummm

I dont know what kind of cave some of you live in but Sonic and the Secret Rings is pretty awesome. Granted it's not perfect it is still good. And as long as NiGHTS can be on a level with that quality or better then I am definatly going to buy it.

If I hear that one more time, i'm gonna scream!

Stop saying it's gonna suck! You don't know that, plain and simple. It's like me walking into a restaurant, looking at the menu, and without ordering something, declaring that all the food there tastes like garbage. Either give these folks time to make the game and then let it speak for itself or go troll somewhere else.
Sorry, had to be said.